Plasticizing device, injection molding device, and three-dimensional shaping device

Abstract

To provide a plasticizing device capable of stably plasticizing a material.SOLUTION: A plasticizing device comprises: a screw that rotates about a rotation axis; a barrel that has an opposing surface and is formed with a communication hole into which a plasticized material obtained by plasticizing a material flows; a heater configured to heat the material that is supplied between a groove forming surface and the opposing surface; and a screw case that forms a recessed portion, accommodates the screw in the recessed portion, and is formed with a supply port for supplying the material to a groove. A length of the screw in a direction along the rotation axis is smaller than a length in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis; an introduction port continuous with the groove is formed in a part of a side surface of the screw intersecting with the groove forming surface; a length of the introduction port is larger than a length of the supply port in a direction along the rotation axis; and when viewed from a direction along the rotation axis, a distance between the side surface and an inner wall of the recessed portion varies depending on the rotation direction of the screw.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a plasticizing apparatus, an injection molding apparatus, and a three-dimensional modeling apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There is known an injection molding apparatus that molds a molded article by injecting a material plasticized by a plasticizing device into a cavity and allowing it to harden.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a plasticizing and delivering device comprising a barrel having a material inflow passage opening at one end face, a rotor having an end face that slides against the one end face of the barrel, a spiral groove formed on the end face of the rotor that communicates with the open end of the material inflow passage of the barrel, and a casing that houses the rotor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-241016 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a plasticizing and delivering device having a rotor as described above, the material may get into the gap between the side surface of the rotor and the casing and be crushed, making it impossible to perform stable plasticization. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the plasticizing device according to the present invention is A motor, a screw having a groove forming surface on which a helical groove is formed and rotated around a rotation axis by the motor; a barrel having an opposing surface facing the groove forming surface in a direction along the rotation axis, the barrel having a communication hole formed therein through which a plasticized material flows; a heater for heating the material supplied between the groove forming surface and the opposing surface; a screw case having a recess formed therein, the screw being accommodated in the recess, and a supply port for supplying the material to the groove; Including, The screw has a length along the rotation axis that is shorter than a length perpendicular to the rotation axis, An inlet port continuous with the groove is formed in a part of a side surface of the screw intersecting with the groove forming surface, In a direction along the rotation axis, a length of the inlet is longer than a length of the supply port, When viewed in a direction along the rotation axis, the distance between the side surface and the inner wall of the recess varies depending on the rotation direction of the screw.

[0007] One aspect of the injection molding apparatus according to the present invention is One embodiment of the plasticizing device; a nozzle for injecting the plasticized material into a mold; Includes.

[0008] One aspect of the three-dimensional printing apparatus according to the present invention is to One embodiment of the plasticizing device; a nozzle for ejecting the plasticizing material toward a stage; Includes. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic diagram of an injection molding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an injection molding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a flat screw of the injection molding apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a barrel of the injection molding device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a flat screw of the injection molding device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a flat screw of the injection molding device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an injection molding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the contents of the present invention described in the claims. In addition, not all of the configurations described below are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0011] 1. Injection molding equipment 1.1. Overall structure First, an injection molding apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a side view showing a schematic diagram of an injection molding apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 1, an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis are shown as three mutually orthogonal axes. The X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are, for example, horizontal directions. The Z-axis direction is, for example, vertical directions.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the injection molding apparatus 100 includes, for example, a material supply unit 10, an injection unit 20, a molding unit 30, a mold clamping unit 40, and a control unit 50. The material supplying unit 10 supplies raw material to the injecting unit 20. The material supplying unit 10 may be configured with a hopper. The material supplied from the material supplying unit 10 is in the form of, for example, pellets.

[0013] The injection unit 20 plasticizes the material supplied from the material supply unit 10 to form a plasticized material. Then, the injection unit 20 injects the plasticized material toward the mold unit 30.

[0014] Plasticization is a concept that includes melting, and refers to changing a material from a solid to a fluid state. Specifically, for materials that undergo glass transition, plasticization refers to raising the temperature of the material above the glass transition point. For materials that do not undergo glass transition, plasticization refers to raising the temperature of the material above the melting point.

[0015] A cavity corresponding to the shape of the molded product is formed in the mold section 30. The plasticized material injected from the injection section 20 flows into the cavity. The plasticized material is then cooled and solidified to produce the molded product.

[0016] The mold clamping unit 40 opens and closes the mold section 30. After the plasticized material is cooled and solidified, the mold clamping unit 40 opens the mold section 30. As a result, the molded product is ejected to the outside.

[0017] The control unit 50, for example, controls a processor, a main memory device, and inputs and outputs signals from and to the outside. The control unit 50 is configured by a computer having an input / output interface. For example, the control unit 50 performs various functions by a processor executing a program loaded into a main storage device. Specifically, the control unit 50 controls the injection unit 20 and the mold clamping unit 40. The control unit 50 may be configured by a combination of multiple circuits instead of a computer.

[0018] 1.2. Specific configuration Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1, which diagrammatically illustrates the injection molding apparatus 100. The injection section 20 includes, for example, a plasticizing device 60, an injection mechanism 70, and a nozzle 80, as shown in Fig. 2.

[0019] The plasticizer 60 is configured to plasticize at least a portion of the material supplied from the material supply unit 10, generate a fluid, paste-like plasticized material, and guide the plasticized material to the injection mechanism 70. The plasticizer 60 includes, for example, a screw case 62, a drive motor 64, a flat screw 110, a barrel 120, and a heater 130.

[0020] The screw case 62 is a housing that houses the flat screw 110. The flat screw 110 is housed in a space surrounded by the screw case 62 and the barrel 120.

[0021] The drive motor 64 is connected to the screw case 62. The drive motor 64 rotates the flat screw 110. The drive motor 64 is, for example, a servo motor. A shaft 66 of the drive motor 64 is connected to the flat screw 110. The drive motor 64 is controlled by the control unit 50.

[0022] The flat screw 110 has a generally cylindrical shape whose size in the direction of the rotation axis R is smaller than its size in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis R. In the illustrated example, the rotation axis R is parallel to the Y axis. The flat screw 110 rotates about the rotation axis R by the torque generated by the drive motor 64. The flat screw 110 has, for example, a shaft surface 111 to which the shaft 66 is connected, a groove-forming surface 112 opposite to the shaft surface 111, and a side surface 113 connecting the shaft surface 111 and the groove-forming surface 112. Here, FIG. 3 is a perspective view that shows the flat screw 110 in a schematic manner.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, a first groove 114 is formed on the groove forming surface 112 of the flat screw 110. The first groove 114 has a spiral shape. The first groove 114 has, for example, a central portion 115, a connecting portion 116, and an inlet 117. The central portion 115 faces the communication hole 126 formed in the barrel 120. The central portion 115 communicates with the communication hole 126. The central portion 115 is provided with a convex portion 115a for efficiently sending the plasticized material to the communication hole 126. The connecting portion 116 connects the central portion 115 and the inlet 117. In the illustrated example, the connecting portion 116 is formed in a spiral shape from the central portion 115 toward the outer periphery of the groove forming surface 112. The inlet 117 is formed on the outer periphery of the groove forming surface 112. That is, the inlet 117 is formed on the side surface 113 of the flat screw 110. The material supplied from the material supply unit 10 is introduced into the first groove 114 from the inlet 117, and is transported through the connection part 116 and the central part 115 to the communication hole 126 formed in the barrel 120. In the illustrated example, two first grooves 114 are formed.

[0024] The number of the first grooves 114 is not particularly limited. Although not shown, three or more first grooves 114 may be formed, or only one first groove 114 may be formed. Details of the flat screw 110 will be described later.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 2, the barrel 120 is provided facing the flat screw 110. The barrel 120 has an opposing surface 122 facing the groove forming surface 112 of the flat screw 110. The opposing surface 122 faces the groove forming surface 112 in the Y-axis direction. A communication hole 126 is formed in the center of the opposing surface 122. Here, Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic view of the barrel 120.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, the opposing surface 122 of the barrel 120 is formed with a second groove 124 and a communication hole 126. A plurality of second grooves 124 are formed. In the illustrated example, six second grooves 124 are formed, but the number is not particularly limited. The plurality of second grooves 124 are formed around the communication hole 126 when viewed from the Y-axis direction. One end of the second groove 124 is connected to the communication hole 126, and it extends from the communication hole 126 toward the outer periphery of the opposing surface 122 in a spiral shape. The second groove 124 has a function of guiding the plasticized material to the communication hole 126. The plasticized material flows into the communication hole 126. The communication hole 126 causes the plasticized material to flow out of the barrel 120.

[0027] The shape of the second groove 124 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, linear. One end of the second groove 124 does not have to be connected to the communication hole 126. Furthermore, the second groove 124 does not have to be formed on the opposing surface 122. However, in consideration of efficiently guiding the plasticized material to the communication hole 126, it is preferable that the second groove 124 is formed on the opposing surface 122.

[0028] The heater 130 is provided in the barrel 120 as shown in FIG. 2. The heater 130 heats the material supplied between the flat screw 110 and the barrel 120. The heater 130 heats the material supplied to the first groove 114. The heater 130 is controlled by the control unit 50. The plasticizing device 60 generates a plasticized material by heating the material while transporting it toward the communication hole 126 using the flat screw 110, the barrel 120, and the heater 130, and causes the generated plasticized material to flow out from the communication hole 126 to the injection mechanism 70.

[0029] The injection mechanism 70 has, for example, a cylinder 72, a plunger 74, and a plunger driver 76. The cylinder 72 is a substantially cylindrical member connected to the communication hole 126. The plunger 74 moves inside the cylinder 72. The plunger 74 is driven by the plunger driver 76 configured by a motor, gears, and the like. The plunger driver 76 is controlled by the control unit 50. The cylinder 72 may be connected to a flow path downstream of the communication hole 126.

[0030] The injection mechanism 70 performs a metering operation and an injection operation by sliding the plunger 74 inside the cylinder 72. The metering operation refers to an operation of guiding the plasticized material located in the communication hole 126 into the cylinder 72 by moving the plunger 74 in the -X axis direction away from the communication hole 126, and measuring it inside the cylinder 72. The injection operation refers to an operation of injecting the plasticized material in the cylinder 72 into the mold section 30 through the nozzle 80 by moving the plunger 74 in the +X axis direction approaching the communication hole 126.

[0031] The nozzle 80 is formed with a nozzle hole 82 that communicates with the communication hole 126. The nozzle 80 injects the plasticized material supplied from the plasticizer 60 into the molding die 32 of the mold section 30. Specifically, by performing the above-mentioned measuring operation and injection operation, the plasticized material measured in the cylinder 72 is sent from the injection mechanism 70 to the nozzle hole 82 via the communication hole 126. The plasticized material is then injected from the nozzle hole 82 into the mold section 30.

[0032] The mold section 30 has a molding die 32. The plasticized material fed to the nozzle hole 82 is The resin is injected from the hole 82 into the cavity 34 of the molding die 32. Specifically, the molding die 32 has a movable die 36 and a fixed die 38 facing each other, and the cavity 34 is between the movable die 36 and the fixed die 38. The cavity 34 is a space corresponding to the shape of the molded product. The movable die 36 and the fixed die 38 are made of metal. The movable die 36 and the fixed die 38 may also be made of ceramic or resin.

[0033] The mold clamping unit 40 has, for example, a mold driving unit 42 and a ball screw unit 44. The mold driving unit 42 is composed of, for example, a motor, gears, etc. The mold driving unit 42 is connected to the movable mold 36 via the ball screw unit 44. The mold driving unit 42 is controlled by a control unit 50. The ball screw unit 44 transmits power generated by the driving of the mold driving unit 42 to the movable mold 36. The mold clamping unit 40 opens and closes the mold unit 30 by moving the movable mold 36 using the mold driving unit 42 and the ball screw unit 44.

[0034] 1.3. Flat screw 5 and 6 are schematic diagrams showing the flat screw 110. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a supply port 69 formed in a screw case 62. Specifically, FIG. 5 is a view seen from a direction along the rotation axis R. In the illustrated example, the direction along the rotation axis R is the Y-axis direction. FIG. 6 is a view seen from a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis R.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the length of the flat screw 110 in the Y-axis direction is shorter than the length in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis R.

[0036] An introduction port 117 continuous with the first groove 114 is formed in a part of the side surface 113 of the flat screw 110. The introduction port 117 is an opening that extends from a first side 118 that defines the introduction port 117 to a second side 119 in the rotation direction Q of the flat screw 110. The first side 118 is located further rearward than the second side 119 in the rotation direction Q. In the illustrated example, the length of the first side 118 is shorter than the length of the second side 119.

[0037] The flat screw 110 may have an elliptical shape when viewed from the Y-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the first virtual line L1 may be the major axis of the ellipse. The first virtual line L1 is a line passing through the first side 118 of one of the two first grooves 114 and the first side 118 of the other first groove 114. The second virtual line L2 may be the minor axis of the ellipse. The second virtual line is a line perpendicular to the first virtual line L1 and passing through the midpoints of the two first sides 118.

[0038] The first groove 114 has, for example, an introduction groove 140. As shown in Fig. 6, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis R, the introduction groove 140 is located between the first side 118 and the second side 119. The introduction groove 140 becomes deeper from the first side 118 toward the second side 119. In other words, the depth H of the introduction groove 140 becomes larger from the first side 118 toward the second side 119. The bottom surface 142 of the introduction groove 140 is inclined such that the depth H becomes larger from the first side 118 toward the second side 119.

[0039] End 140E of introduction groove 140 is located at end 110E of flat screw 110. End 140E is an end of introduction groove 140 on the second side 119 side. End 110E is an end in the -Y axis direction of flat screw 110. End 140E of introduction groove 140 is located between first side 118 and second side 119 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the Y axis.

[0040] 2, the screw case 62 is formed with a recess 67. The screw case 62 accommodates the flat screw 110 in the recess 67.

[0041] The supply port 69 is formed in an inner wall 68 of the recess 67 as shown in Fig. 7. The supply port 69 supplies material to the first groove 114. The inner wall 68 is a surface of the screw case 62 that defines the recess 67. For convenience, the inner wall 68 of the recess 67 and the supply port 69 formed in the inner wall 68 are shown by dashed lines in Fig. 5. The inner wall 68 has, for example, a circular shape. The center of the circle is, for example, the intersection point of the first virtual straight line L1 and the second virtual straight line L2.

[0042] When viewed from the Y-axis direction, the distance D between the side surface 113 of the flat screw 110 and the inner wall 68 varies in the rotation direction Q. The distance D is the distance between the inner wall 68 and a region 113a of the side surface 113 where the inlet 117 is not formed. The first side 118 and the second side 119 are the boundary between the inlet 117 and the region 113a. The side surface 113 intersects with the groove forming surface 112. The side surface 113 is, for example, perpendicular to the groove forming surface 112.

[0043] Distance D is shortest, for example, at the first side 118. In other words, distance D is shortest between the first side 118 and the inner wall 68. Distance D is shortest on the first virtual straight line L1. In FIG. 5, the shortest length of distance D is indicated by D1. Distance D may be shortest at the end 140E of the introduction groove 140. Distance D is longest, for example, on the second virtual straight line L2. In FIG. 5, the longest length of distance D is indicated by D2.

[0044] The shortest length D1 of the distance D is, for example, smaller than the length of the material. The longest length of the distance D2 is, for example, larger than the length of the material. Note that the "length of the material" refers to the average of the maximum lengths of the pellet-shaped material. The maximum length of the pellet-shaped material can be found, for example, by capturing images of multiple materials with an imaging unit attached to a metallurgical microscope and calculating the average length of the multiple materials based on the captured images.

[0045] In the rotation direction Q, the length W1 of the inlet 117 is greater than, for example, the length W2 of the supply port 69. The length W1 is the maximum dimension of the inlet 117 in the direction of the rotation axis R. The length W2 is the maximum dimension of the supply port 69 in the rotation direction Q. In the Y-axis direction, the length T1 of the inlet 117 is greater than, for example, the length T2 of the supply port 69. The length T1 is the maximum dimension of the inlet 117 in the Y-axis direction. The length T2 is the maximum dimension of the supply port 69 in the Y-axis direction.

[0046] Although not shown, if the distance D differs in the rotation direction Q, the flat screw 110 may have a circular shape and the inner wall 68 may have an elliptical shape when viewed from the Y-axis direction.

[0047] 1.4. Effects In the plasticizer 60, the flat screw 110 has a length in a direction along the rotation axis R that is shorter than its length in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis R. An inlet 117 that is continuous with the first groove 114 is formed in a part of a side surface 113 that intersects with the groove forming surface 112 of the flat screw 110. In the direction along the rotation axis R, the length W1 of the inlet 117 is longer than the length W2 of the supply port 69. As viewed from the direction along the rotation axis R, the distance D between the side surface 113 and the inner wall 68 of the recess 67 varies in the rotation direction Q of the flat screw 110.

[0048] Therefore, in the plasticizer 60, the flat screw 110 can scrape the material into the inlet 117 in the portion where the distance D is short, and can prevent the material from being crushed in the portion where the distance D is long. This allows the material to be stably plasticized. For example, the material that has rolled over the portion of the flat screw 110 where the distance D is long can be scraped in by the portion of the flat screw 110 where the distance D is short. For example, if the material is crushed, the crushed material may wrap around the angular bearing of the plasticizer, causing damage.

[0049] In the plasticizer 60, the inlet 117 is Therefore, the flat screw 110 is an opening extending from a first side 118 that defines the inlet 117 to a second side 119, the first side 118 being located further rearward in the rotation direction Q than the second side 119, and the distance D is shortest at the first side 118. Therefore, in the plasticizing device 60, the material between the side surface 113 of the flat screw 110 and the inner wall 68 can be scraped into the inlet 117 by the first side 118 of the flat screw 110.

[0050] In the plasticizer 60, the first groove 114 has an introduction groove 140 located between the first side 118 and the second side 119 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis R, and the introduction groove 140 becomes deeper from the first side 118 toward the second side 119. Therefore, in the plasticizer 60, the material can be easily transported to the center part 115 of the first groove 114.

[0051] In the plasticizer 60, the end 140E of the introduction groove 140 is located between the first side 118 and the second side 119 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis R. Therefore, in the plasticizer 60, the material can be easily transported to the center portion 115 of the first groove 114.

[0052] In the plasticizer 60, the end 140E of the introduction groove 140 is located at the end 110E in the direction along the rotation axis R of the flat screw 110. Therefore, in the plasticizer 60, the material can be transported to the center 115 of the first groove 114 without being missed.

[0053] In the plasticizer 60, the material is in the form of pellets, and the shortest length D1 of the distance D is smaller than the size of the material, and the longest length D2 of the distance D is larger than the size of the material. Therefore, in the plasticizer 60, the material can be scraped in at the portion where the distance D is shortest, and the material can be prevented from being crushed at the portion where the distance D is longest.

[0054] In the plasticizer 60, the length W1 of the introduction port 117 is greater than the length W2 of the supply port 69 in the rotation direction Q. Therefore, the plasticizer 60 can easily transport the material to the first groove 114.

[0055] 2. Three-dimensional printing equipment Next, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view that shows a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 200 according to this embodiment.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 8, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 200 includes, for example, a material supply unit 10, a control unit 50, a plasticizing device 60, a nozzle 80, a stage 210, and a position changing unit 220. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 200 is an FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) (registered trademark) type three-dimensional modeling apparatus. For convenience, the plasticizing device 60 is illustrated in a simplified form in Fig. 8.

[0057] The nozzle 80 discharges the plasticized material supplied from the plasticizer 60 toward the stage 210. Specifically, the three-dimensional modeling device 200 drives the position changing unit 220 to change the relative position between the nozzle 80 and the stage 210 while discharging the plasticized material from the nozzle 80 to the stage 210. In this way, the three-dimensional modeling device 200 forms a three-dimensional object having a desired shape on the stage 210.

[0058] The stage 210 is provided below the nozzle 80. In the illustrated example, the shape of the stage 210 is a rectangular parallelepiped. The stage 210 supports the plasticized material discharged from the nozzle 80. The stage 210 has a deposition surface 212 on which the plasticized material is deposited.

[0059] The stage 210 is made of a metal such as aluminum. The stage 210 may be made of a metal plate and an adhesive sheet attached to the metal plate. The surface 212 is made of an adhesive sheet. The adhesive sheet can improve the adhesion between the stage 210 and the plasticized material discharged from the nozzle 80.

[0060] Although not shown, the stage 210 may be composed of a metal plate with grooves formed therein and a base layer provided so as to fill the grooves. In this case, the deposition surface 212 is composed of the base layer. The material of the base layer is, for example, the same as that of the plasticizing material. The base layer can improve the adhesion between the stage 210 and the plasticizing material discharged from the nozzle 80.

[0061] The position changer 220 supports the stage 210. The position changer 220 changes the relative position between the nozzle 80 and the stage 210. In the illustrated example, the position changer 220 moves the stage 210 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction to change the relative position between the nozzle 80 and the stage 210 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, the position changer 220 moves the nozzle 80 in the Z-axis direction to change the relative position between the nozzle 80 and the stage 210 in the Z-axis direction.

[0062] The position changing unit 220 has, for example, a first electric actuator 222, a second electric actuator 224, and a third electric actuator 226. The first electric actuator 222 moves the stage 210 in the X-axis direction. The second electric actuator 224 moves the stage 210 in the Y-axis direction. The third electric actuator 226 moves the nozzle 80 in the Z-axis direction. The third electric actuator 226 supports, for example, the screw case 62 of the plasticizing device 60.

[0063] Note that the configuration of the position changer 220 is not particularly limited as long as it can change the relative position between the nozzle 80 and the stage 210. For example, the position changer 220 may be configured to move the stage 210 in the Z-axis direction and move the nozzle 80 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, or may be configured to move the stage 210 or the nozzle 80 in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction.

[0064] 3. Material Modification In the above, an example has been described in which the material supplied from the material supply unit 10 is an elastomer. However, the material supplied from the material supply unit 10 may be a material other than an elastomer, or a material in which another component is added to an elastomer.

[0065] The materials supplied from the material supply unit 10 are, for example, various materials such as thermoplastic materials, metal materials, and ceramic materials as main materials. Here, the "main material" refers to a material that is the core of the shape of the molded product molded by the injection molding apparatus 100, and refers to a material that occupies 50% by mass or more in the molded product. The above-mentioned materials include those main materials that are melted alone, and those that are made into a paste by melting some components contained together with the main material.

[0066] Examples of materials having thermoplastic properties include thermoplastic resins, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

[0067] The thermoplastic resin may be a general-purpose engineering plastic, such as polyacetal (POM), polyamide (PA), polylactic acid (PLA), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polycarbonate (PC), or modified polyphenylene ether (m-PPE).

[0068] The thermoplastic resin may be a super engineering plastic, such as polysulfone (PSU), polyethersulfone (PES), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyarylate (PAR), polyimide (PI), polyamideimide (PAI), polyetherimide (PEI), or polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

[0069] The thermoplastic material may contain additives such as pigments, metals, ceramics, and wax, flame retardants, antioxidants, and heat stabilizers. The thermoplastic material is plasticized and converted into a molten state in the plasticizer 60 by the rotation of the flat screw 110 and the heating of the heater 130. The plasticized material thus produced is deposited from the nozzle 80 and then hardened by a drop in temperature. It is desirable that the thermoplastic material be discharged from the nozzle 80 in a completely molten state by being heated to or above the glass transition point.

[0070] In the plasticizer 60, for example, a metal material may be used as the main material instead of the above-mentioned material having thermoplasticity. In this case, it is preferable that a component that melts when the plasticized material is produced is mixed with a powder material made by powdering the metal material, and then the powder material is fed into the plasticizer 60.

[0071] Examples of metal materials include single metals such as magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), and nickel (Ni), or alloys containing one or more of these metals, as well as maraging steel, stainless steel, cobalt-chromium-molybdenum, titanium alloys, nickel alloys, aluminum alloys, cobalt alloys, and cobalt-chromium alloys.

[0072] Instead of the above-mentioned metal materials, ceramic materials may be used as the main material in the plasticizer 60. Examples of the ceramic materials include oxide ceramics such as silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide, and zirconium oxide, and non-oxide ceramics such as aluminum nitride.

[0073] The powder material of the metallic material or the ceramic material supplied from the material supply unit 10 may be a mixed material in which a single metal powder, an alloy powder, or a ceramic material powder is mixed. The powder material of the metallic material or the ceramic material may be coated with, for example, the above-mentioned thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic resin other than the above. In this case, the thermoplastic resin coating the powder material may be melted in the plasticizing device 60 to exhibit fluidity.

[0074] For example, a solvent may be added to the powder material of the metal material or ceramic material supplied from the material supply unit 10. Examples of the solvent include water; (poly)alkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, and propylene glycol monoethyl ether; acetates such as ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, n-butyl acetate, and isobutyl acetate; aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylene; ketones such as methyl ethyl ketone, acetone, methyl isobutyl ketone, ethyl-n-butyl ketone, diisopropyl ketone, and acetylacetone; alcohols such as ethanol, propanol, and butanol; tetraalkylammonium acetates; sulfoxide-based solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide and diethyl sulfoxide; pyridine-based solvents such as pyridine, γ-picoline, and 2,6-lutidine; tetraalkylammonium acetates (e.g., tetrabutylammonium acetate, etc.); and ionic liquids such as butyl carbitol acetate.

[0075] In addition, for example, a binder may be added to the powder material of the metal material or ceramic material supplied from the material supply unit 10. Examples of the binder include acrylic resin, epoxy resin, silicone resin, cellulose-based resin, other synthetic resin, PLA, PA, PPS, PEEK, or other thermoplastic resin.

[0076] The above-described embodiment and modifications are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these. For example, the embodiments and modifications can be appropriately combined.

[0077] The present invention includes configurations that are substantially the same as the configurations described in the embodiments, for example, configurations with the same functions, methods, and results, or configurations with the same purpose and effect. The present invention also includes configurations in which non-essential parts of the configurations described in the embodiments are replaced. The present invention also includes configurations that achieve the same effects as the configurations described in the embodiments, or configurations that can achieve the same purpose. The present invention also includes configurations in which publicly known technology is added to the configurations described in the embodiments.

[0078] The following can be derived from the above-described embodiment and modifications.

[0079] One embodiment of the plasticizer comprises: A motor, a screw having a groove forming surface on which a helical groove is formed and rotated around a rotation axis by the motor; a barrel having an opposing surface facing the groove forming surface in a direction along the rotation axis, the barrel having a communication hole formed therein through which a plasticized material flows; a heater for heating the material supplied between the groove forming surface and the opposing surface; a screw case having a recess formed therein, the screw being accommodated in the recess, and a supply port for supplying the material to the groove; Including, The screw has a length along the rotation axis that is shorter than a length perpendicular to the rotation axis, An inlet port continuous with the groove is formed in a part of a side surface of the screw intersecting with the groove forming surface, In a direction along the rotation axis, a length of the inlet is longer than a length of the supply port, When viewed in a direction along the rotation axis, the distance between the side surface and the inner wall of the recess varies depending on the rotation direction of the screw.

[0080] This plasticizing device allows the material to be plasticized stably.

[0081] In one embodiment of the plasticizer, the introduction port is an opening extending from a first side to a second side that defines the introduction port in the rotation direction, the first side is located rearward of the second side in the rotation direction, The distance may be shortest at the first side.

[0082] According to this plasticizing device, the material between the side surface and the inner wall can be scraped into the inlet by the first edge of the screw.

[0083] In one embodiment of the plasticizer, The groove is located between the first side and the second side when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. The guide groove is The introduction groove may become deeper from the first side toward the second side.

[0084] This plasticizing device makes it easier to transport the material to the center of the groove.

[0085] In one embodiment of the plasticizer, An end of the introduction groove may be located between the first side and the second side when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.

[0086] This plasticizing device makes it easier to transport the material to the center of the groove.

[0087] In one embodiment of the plasticizer, An end of the introduction groove may be located at an end in a direction along the rotation axis of the screw.

[0088] This plasticizing device can transport the material to the center of the groove without any overflow.

[0089] In one embodiment of the plasticizer, the material is in pellet form; the shortest length of the distance is less than the length of the material; The maximum length of the distance may be greater than the length of the material.

[0090] According to this plasticizing device, the material can be scraped in at the portion where the distance is shortest, and the material can be prevented from being crushed at the portion where the distance is longest.

[0091] In one embodiment of the plasticizer, In the rotation direction, a length of the inlet may be greater than a length of the supply port.

[0092] This plasticizer makes it easy to transport the material into the groove. One embodiment of the injection molding apparatus comprises: One embodiment of the plasticizing device; a nozzle for injecting the plasticized material into a mold; Includes.

[0093] One aspect of the three-dimensional printing apparatus includes: One embodiment of the plasticizing device; a nozzle for ejecting the plasticizing material toward a stage; Includes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 10...material supply section, 20...injection section, 30...mold section, 32...molding die, 34...cavity, 36...movable die, 38...fixed die, 40...mold clamping section, 42...mold drive section, 44...ball screw section, 50...control section, 60...plasticizing device, 62...screw case, 64...drive motor, 66...shaft, 67...recess, 68...inner wall, 69...supply port, 70...injection mechanism, 72...cylinder, 74...plunger, 76...plunger drive moving part, 80... nozzle, 82... nozzle hole, 100... injection molding apparatus, 110... flat screw, 110E... end, 111... shaft surface, 112... groove forming surface, 113... side surface, 113a... area, 114... first groove, 115... center portion, 115a... protruding portion, 116... connection portion, 117... inlet, 118... first side, 119... second side, 120... barrel, 122... opposing surface, 124... second groove, 126... communication hole, 130... heater , 140... introduction groove, 140E... end, 142... bottom surface, 200... three-dimensional modeling device, 210... stage, 212... deposition surface, 220... position change unit, 222... first electric actuator, 224... second electric actuator, 226... third electric actuator

Claims

1. A motor, a screw having a groove forming surface on which a helical groove is formed and rotated around a rotation axis by the motor; a barrel having an opposing surface facing the groove forming surface in a direction along the rotation axis, the barrel having a communication hole formed therein through which a plasticized material flows; a heater for heating the material supplied between the groove forming surface and the opposing surface; a screw case having a recess formed therein, the screw being accommodated in the recess, and a supply port for supplying the material to the groove; Including, The screw has a length along the rotation axis that is shorter than a length perpendicular to the rotation axis, An inlet port continuous with the groove is formed in a part of a side surface of the screw intersecting with the groove forming surface, In a direction along the rotation axis, a length of the inlet is longer than a length of the supply port, A plasticizing device, wherein the distance between the side surface and the inner wall of the recess, as viewed in a direction along the rotation axis, varies depending on the rotation direction of the screw.

2. In claim 1, the introduction port is an opening extending from a first side to a second side that defines the introduction port in the rotation direction, the first side is located rearward of the second side in the rotation direction, The distance is shortest at the first side.

3. In claim 2, the groove has an introduction groove located between the first side and the second side when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation shaft, The introduction groove becomes deeper from the first side toward the second side.

4. In claim 3, A plasticizing device, wherein an end of the introduction groove is located between the first side and the second side when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.

5. In claim 3, A plasticizing device, wherein an end of the introduction groove is located at an end in a direction along the rotation axis of the screw.

6. In claim 1, the material is in pellet form; the shortest length of the distance is less than the length of the material; A plasticizing apparatus, wherein the longest length of the distance is greater than a length of the material.

7. In claim 1, A plasticizing device, wherein in the rotation direction, the length of the inlet is greater than the length of the supply port.

8. A plasticizing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, a nozzle for injecting the plasticized material into a mold; 1. An injection molding apparatus comprising:

9. A plasticizing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, a nozzle for ejecting the plasticizing material toward a stage; A three-dimensional printing apparatus comprising:

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